Claudio Ranieri sacked: Fulham dismiss manager after less than four months in charge

The Italian has paid the price for a dismal run of results that leaves the Cottagers 10 points adrift of safety

Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Fulham less than four months after being appointed, with Scott Parker placed in caretaker charge of the struggling London club.

The 19th-placed Cottagers look doomed to be playing Championship football next season with the damaging 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Southampton on Wednesday evening seeing them fall 10 points from safety in the Premier League.

That setback on the south coast was a seventh loss from eight top-flight games for Ranieri's side and was greeted with anger and protests from travelling supporters.

Chairman Shad Khan said in a statement: "Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone.

"Claudio's tenure at Fulham didn't produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as manager in November but, be assured, he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today."

Ranieri won just three games after being appointed to replace Slavisa Jokanovic in November.

“I am obviously disappointed with the recent results and that we could not build on the good start we made following my appointment,” Ranieri said in a short statement.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Club, the players and the fans for the support they have given me during my time at the Club.”

Parker's first game in charge will be against his former club, Chelsea, on Sunday 3 March at Craven Cottage.